This work is part of the series with the title "Abgarkopf", which Baselitz began in 1984. Baselitz refers to the Christian legend of the healing of Abgar V. of Edessa with a cloth carrying the wondrous impression of Christ's face. Accordingly, the original Abgar image, just as it is the case with the Veil of Veronica, is an 'acheiropoieta' a true image of Christ, not a man-made one . Baselitz expresses this mystical aura in the "Abgarkopf" series through the mask-like appearance that arises from the reduction of the facial features to eyes, nose and mouth. Because of the hair, the reduction is not as striking in this sheet as it is the case with the paintings originating from the same days. Theoverall drawing seems more naturalistic – Baselitz's characteristic upside down representationof the motif makes for an alienation of the traditional Christian i conography. What makes this sheet particularly appealing is the effectual contrast between the red and the black, which increases the mask-like appearance. The gaze adds a magic spirit to the illustration.